Cocody, Côte d’Ivoire

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Cocody, Côte d’Ivoire

Region: Abidjan

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Geographic Coordinates: 5.350000, -3.966700

Climate: Tropical climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.

Population: 692583

Language: French

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Cocody is a lively and bustling neighborhood situated in Abidjan, The economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire. It is renowned for its upscale residential areas, Opulent shopping centers, And picturesque parks. Cocody has a rich past that dates back to the colonial period when it was established as an administrative center for French officials. One of the most remarkable attractions in Cocody is St. Paul’s Cathedral, An exquisite example of modernist architecture. The cathedral was designed by Italian architect Aldo Spirito and completed in 1985. Its unique design comprises a series of pyramidal structures covered in white marble.

Another popular attraction in Cocody is the National Museum of Ivory Coast, Which houses an impressive collection of traditional African art and artifacts. The museum’s exhibits include masks, Sculptures, Textiles, And musical instruments from various ethnic groups across West Africa. Cocody also boasts several stunning parks where visitors can unwind and enjoy nature. One such park is Parc du Banco which spans over 3 square kilometers with dense forests featuring hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints.

The neighborhood also offers some of Abidjan’s finest restaurants serving both local Ivorian cuisine as well as international dishes from around the world. Some sought-after restaurants include Le Bô-Zin for Moroccan cuisine or La Terrasse de l’Indénié for traditional Ivorian dishes like attiéké (a cassava-based side dish) or poisson braisé (grilled fish). In addition to its cultural offerings, Cocody serves as a significant commercial hub with several shopping centers like La Pyramide shopping mall or Cap Sud mall offering high-end fashion brands alongside local boutiques selling handmade crafts.

Overall, Cocody provides visitors with a unique blend of culture, History, Nature & modernity making it one of Abidjan’s must-visit neighborhoods.’

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1. St. Paul’s Cathedral: This is a beautiful cathedral that was built in 1985 and is one of the most popular landmarks in Cocody.
2. The National Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Côte d’Ivoire, including traditional art, music, and clothing.
3. The Abidjan Zoo: This zoo is home to a variety of animals such as lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys and more.
4. The Banco National Park: This park offers visitors the opportunity to hike through lush forests while observing various species of birds and other wildlife.
5. The Cocody Municipal Market: A bustling market where you can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.
6. La Pyramide Shopping Center: A modern shopping center with international brands as well as local shops selling African art and textiles.
7. Le Jardin Botanique de Bingerville: A botanical garden located on the outskirts of Cocody which features a wide range of plant species from across Africa.
8. Parc des Sports de Treichville : A sports park with facilities for soccer, basketball, tennis etc where locals come for recreation or watch matches

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1. Cocody, Côte d’Ivoire is a prosperous area that serves as both a residential and commercial hub in Abidjan, the economic capital of the country.
2. The district boasts various industries and businesses, including banking and finance with Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire (SGBCI), Ecobank, Standard Chartered Bank, and BICICI all having branches there.
3. Real estate is another significant industry in Cocody with an abundance of luxury homes, apartments, hotels and office buildings.
4. Retail is also well represented with shopping centers like Abidjan Mall and Cap Sud.
5. Education is highly valued in Cocody with prestigious schools such as Lycée Français Blaise Pascal d’Abidjan located there.
6. Health care services are also readily available with several private hospitals like Polyclinique Internationale Sainte-Anne-Marie (PISAM) found within the district.
7. Tourism plays a role too; visitors can enjoy attractions such as St Paul’s Cathedral or the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire.
8. Finally, technology startups are gaining traction within Cocody through coworking spaces like Jokkolabs or incubators such as Orange Fab CI’.

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1. Félix Houphouët-Boigny was the first President of Côte d’Ivoire and lived in Cocody until his death in 1993.
2. The Palace of Culture is a cultural center that was built in Cocody during Houphouët-Boigny’s presidency and has hosted many important cultural events over the years.
3. The Abidjan Zoo is located in Cocody, one of the oldest zoos in Africa that has been home to many exotic animals over the years.
4. The Ivory Coast National Museum is located in Cocody and houses a collection of traditional Ivorian art, artifacts, and historical documents.
5. During the 2002 Civil War, Cocody saw heavy fighting between government forces and rebel groups.
6. Laurent Gbagbo was a former President of Côte d’Ivoire who lived in Cocody before being arrested by international authorities for crimes against humanity during the 2010-2011 post-election violence.
7. The University Felix Houphouet-Boigny is located in Cocody named after Côte d’Ivoire’s first president.
8. Le Plateau District is an administrative district near to Cocody which hosts most governmental buildings such as presidential palace, ministry offices etc.

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1. Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire: This museum showcases the history and culture of Ivory Coast, including traditional art, crafts, and artifacts.
2. Abidjan National Museum of Costume: This museum displays traditional Ivorian clothing and accessories from different regions of the country.
3. Centre Culturel Français de Cocody: This cultural center hosts a variety of events and exhibitions related to French language and culture.
4. Parc du Banco: This natural park is a great place for hiking, bird watching or just enjoying the lush vegetation.
5. La Pyramide: This iconic monument in Cocody was built in 1983 to commemorate Ivory Coast’s independence from France.
6. Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny: The largest stadium in Ivory Coast, this venue hosts major sporting events as well as concerts and other performances.
7. Marché de Cocody: One of Abidjan’s largest markets, this bustling bazaar offers a wide range of goods including fresh produce, textiles, crafts and souvenirs.
8. Institut Goethe d’Abidjan: A cultural center focused on German language and culture that offers language classes as well as concerts, film screenings and other events.
9. Palais des Sports de Treichville: Another major sports venue in Abidjan that also hosts concerts and other entertainment events throughout the year.
10. Cathédrale Saint-Paul d’Abidjan: Located in nearby Plateau district, this cathedral is one of the largest churches in Africa with beautiful architecture.

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1. Fête des Masques (Mask Festival) is an annual event in Cocody that features traditional Ivorian masks, music, and dance performances.
2. The Festival of the Abissa is a traditional celebration of the Agni people who live in Cocody and takes place every November. It includes dance performances, rituals, and feasting.
3. Fête de la Musique (Music Festival) is held on June 21st every year and celebrates music of all genres with concerts throughout the city.
4. The International Jazz Festival brings together renowned jazz musicians from around the world to perform in Cocody on an annual basis.
5. National Arts and Culture Week is a week-long event held every March or April that showcases traditional Ivorian arts and crafts through exhibitions and workshops.
6. La Nuit des Griots (Night of Griots) celebrates West African storytelling traditions through music, poetry readings, and theater performances.
7. The Yamoussoukro International Film Festival is not held specifically in Cocody but nearby Yamoussoukro where it showcases local films as well as international ones with screenings for all ages throughout the city.

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• Attiéké is a popular Ivorian dish made from cassava and served with grilled fish or chicken.
• Maquis are small, local restaurants that serve traditional Ivorian dishes such as grilled meat, fish and attiéké.
• Poulet Braisé is a popular Ivorian dish of grilled chicken served with spicy sauce and attiéké.
• Le Bô-Zin is a trendy restaurant in Cocody that serves Mediterranean cuisine with an African twist.
• La Maison de la Gourmandise offers French-inspired cuisine using local ingredients.
• Chez Pauline is a popular spot for breakfast, serving fresh pastries, coffee and traditional Ivorian dishes like omelettes and porridge.
• Le Bistrot d’Abidjan is a French-style bistro serving classic dishes like steak frites alongside local specialties like braised goat meat.
• Le Petit Dakar is a Senegalese restaurant serving delicious West African dishes like thieboudienne (fish stew) and yassa (chicken marinated in lemon juice).
• Les Jardins de l’Ambassadeur is an upscale restaurant serving gourmet French cuisine with an African twist in a beautiful garden setting.
• La Terrasse des Délices offers stunning views of Abidjan while enjoying delicious cocktails, tapas and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine on its rooftop terrace.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Parc des Sports de Treichville – a popular park for sports and recreational activities, including football, basketball, and tennis.
2. Parc du Banco – a large forest reserve with hiking trails and picnic areas.
3. Jardin Botanique de Bingerville – a botanical garden with various plant species and walking paths.
4. Zoo National d’Abidjan – a zoo with many animals from the African continent.
5. Abidjan Golf Club – an 18-hole golf course located in Cocody.
6. Le Vieux Bassam (Old Bassam) Beach – a beautiful beach located near Cocody that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
7. Centre Culturel Français d’Abidjan – offers cultural events such as music concerts, theater performances, exhibitions etc
8. Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny – A stadium where sporting events are held
9. Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire – displays the history of Ivory Coast’s culture

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